Ask Us Anything!

So many bakers watching the bread tutorial videos have asked, where can I find those large bowl covers.

Aren’t they great?!

I purchased these through Amazon. They are part of a set, containing multiple sizes. The largest size is great. I’ve put these covers to use for 3 years how and they are still going strong. Simply wash after use and then put back in the drawer.

Here is a link to them on Amazon: REUSABLE ELASTIC FOOD STORAGE BOWL COVERS

Let us know if you have any questions or an even better source!

So many bakers watching the bread tutorial videos have asked, where can I find those large bowl covers.

Aren’t they great?!

I purchased these through Amazon. They are part of a set, containing multiple sizes. The largest size is great. I’ve put these covers to use for 3 years how and they are still going strong. Simply wash after use and then put back in the drawer.

Here is a link to them on Amazon: REUSABLE ELASTIC FOOD STORAGE BOWL COVERS

Let us know if you have any questions or an even better source!

One of our favorite questions! Yes, we do provide these hours. You will find them on your volunteer profile page. You receive hours for baking and donating loaves and cookies, packing flour, packing cookie mix, serving as a hub leader, driving and/or organizing supplies, and of course helping out your hub leader. Just about every aspect of the program acknowledges your dedication with a volunteer time credit!

To find, view, and print your “statement”:

1. Login to your volunteer dashboard.
2. Click the yellow “Profile” button.
3. Scroll down, you’ll see some options for viewing your statement. This year, last year and then click to view as a pdf. You can also see all of this year’s donations itemized right ther on the profile page.
4. Donations are calculated as follows – 7 hours for every combination of 3-4 loaves of bread donated and 3 hours for every batch of cookies. These are based on existing averages. 
5. Note our EIN number is on the statement to make it easy for you when you file your annual tax return.
   

We track these efforts intentionally, so young bakers can earn Community Service credit, and working bakers can submit their time with their companies for corporate matching. Those are really valuable dollars for this little non-profit organization.

All volunteer bakers begin their journey with us by attending a virtual information session. This gives you the opportunity to learn about the organization and the impact of our freshly baked donations. Sign up for one of these sessions here:

Information sessions are just an hour with plenty of time for questions. You will leave the session completely prepared to begin baking the world a better place.

Life happens, we know. You can easily sign up for another session, just revisit the “Bake With Us” link and choose the next available that matches with your schedule.

Unable to find a session that works with your schedule? There is a possibility we have a recording to share with you. Please email us here.

This is a big beautiful volunteer project, 100%. Our bakers give their time, talent, and treasure to bake and donate our honey oat sandwich bread and energy cookies to our local food banks.

Every donation is logged on your volunteer baker profile, and you can pull a giving statement anytime. The giving statement records the total items donated, the volunteer time to complete those donations, and the financial cost.

Cost For A Loaf Of Bread: The current cost to make and bake one loaf of bread is $2.84, including the packaging. This can vary, especially in our expanded markets like California or Idaho. If you purchase different flour or types of ingredients, for example, specialty honey or farmer’s market oats, the loaf price could be higher. Our price used Costco honey, oatmeal, and olive oil. For the flour, we used our Community Loaves flour store pricing. Bakers are given a 7-hour donation of time credit for every batch of 3-4 loaves donated. Use this time credit to satisfy community service requirements or request corporate matching! Our non-profit benefits greatly from corporate matching!

Cost Per Energy Cookie: Similarly, we’ve priced out the Energy Cookie to $.88 cents per cookie, fully packaged. We used average store pricing for the ingredients beyond the mix – unsweetened apple sauce, pecans, cornmeal, blueberries, and raw sugar… An entire batch of cookies, 32, costs $28.23 and takes 3 hours to produce. Again, your volunteer time for younger bakers can be used to satisfy community service requirements or for those in industry, serve as support in the request for corporate matching.

Volunteers can download their current statement anytime! It is found on your volunteer profile page.

Our requirements regarding volunteering are governed by common sense and insurance standards. The following should provide you the information you need:

1. Baker – anyone accepting and following our baking best practices can bake and donate. Younger bakers, middle and high school age can earn volunteer service hours for their time. It is expected that all young bakers will follow the safety practices and follow the recipes precisely.
   
2. Flour Packer – no age limit. However, precision in breaking down 50 lb bags into 5 lb portions is a must. Flour is our thing, so neatness and attention to detail matter.
   
3. Stage and Load the Truck – ability to lift, without struggle, 40 lbs.
   
4. Drive The Truck – Twenty-five years of age or older with a valid driver’s license and insurance.

So many bakers watching the bread tutorial videos have asked, where can I find those large bowl covers.

Aren’t they great?!

I purchased these through Amazon. They are part of a set, containing multiple sizes. The largest size is great. I’ve put these covers to use for 3 years how and they are still going strong. Simply wash after use and then put back in the drawer.

Here is a link to them on Amazon: REUSABLE ELASTIC FOOD STORAGE BOWL COVERS

Let us know if you have any questions or an even better source!

1. Let your hub leader know you’re coming by pre-checking your donation. You’ll find the red donation button on your volunteer dashboard in the Make A Donation section. Select the first box on the left, Loaves & Cookies. It looks like this:

2. You can check your loaves or cookies at any hub or freezer bank that is convenient for you. (Typically, the most convenient is your neighborhood hub.)

3. Heading out of town for the weekend? You can also check your items into one of our freezer banks. Select that radial button, and then from the list, the freezer that is closest to you. Using our freezer banks gives you the ultimate flexibility in your donation timing.

4. You will receive an email confirmation that your items have been pre-checked.

We donate twice a month. The calendar is set a year in advance. Our intent when setting the calendar is to minimize overlapping with holidays, where our food bank partners might be closed, or our volunteer bakers otherwise occupied.

Additionally, when setting dates we intentionally avoid back-to-back donations. Finally, we do not bake and donate in August. For the health of the organization, hub leaders, operations people, bakers, we all need a break, and frankly it is also too hot to bake! That said, for those diehard bakers, those who must bake, it is a great time to freeze your donation and stock up for September.

Speaking of freezers. Using our “freezer banks” is the perfect way to volunteer on your own time. Heading out of town for the weekend? Pre-check your loaves in one of our “freezer banks”. Your donation karma is secured and you don’t have to worry about getting home on time. Learn More Here

Our program calendar is a terrific resource for all dates, you find that on your volunteer dashboard, right at the top. And, for convenience, we’ve included the full 2023 list below as well.

A special donation is a way for us to provide a little extra heart and care to our food bank partners and their clients, specifically around holidays. Baking and donating the special items is fun and adds a little variety and spice to our usual donations. Not your thing, special donations are optional.

We have two scheduled special donations in 2023:

1. The second donation in November, in preparation for the Thanksgiving Meal boxes our food banks often provide their clients, volunteers are encouraged to convert their bread loaves into rolls. You can use the same packaging. See this video for instructions and recommendations on how to make rolls.
   
2. The second donation in December, ‘Tis the Season to extend cheer and best wishes for the New Year! We do this with a signature holiday cookie box. The cookie that is baked is the winner of our annual holiday cookie competition. Click here to see a list of the 2022 winner and all the entries.

One of our favorite questions! Yes, we do provide these hours. You will find them on your volunteer profile page. You receive hours for baking and donating loaves and cookies, packing flour, packing cookie mix, serving as a hub leader, driving and/or organizing supplies, and of course helping out your hub leader. Just about every aspect of the program acknowledges your dedication with a volunteer time credit!

To find, view, and print your “statement”:

1. Login to your volunteer dashboard.
2. Click the yellow “Profile” button.
3. Scroll down, you’ll see some options for viewing your statement. This year, last year and then click to view as a pdf. You can also see all of this year’s donations itemized right ther on the profile page.
4. Donations are calculated as follows – 7 hours for every combination of 3-4 loaves of bread donated and 3 hours for every batch of cookies. These are based on existing averages. 
5. Note our EIN number is on the statement to make it easy for you when you file your annual tax return.
   

We track these efforts intentionally, so young bakers can earn Community Service credit, and working bakers can submit their time with their companies for corporate matching. Those are really valuable dollars for this little non-profit organization.

We are thrilled to participate as a charitable organization in Washington Combined Fund Drive. Here our volunteers can extend their generosity through direct giving.

If you are employed by WA state, including any of our state colleges and institutions and/or at the Port of Olympia, Seattle Housing Authority, and Snohomish County PUD you can participate!

Our OSOS Charity Program # is 1483063

It couldn’t be easier to set up. Click on the banner linked below.

Our volunteers have the opportunity to bake and donate two different items for our neighborhood food banks. Both are whole grain, delicious, and equally appreciated by food bank clients. The donation is your choice! You can choose bread, energy cookies or both! Or mix it up, donate bread one week and energy cookies the next.

Once you have attended an information session and registered as a volunteer, you can download the recipes for either of our program bakes.

Our Signature Bread!

Our Honey Oat Sandwich Loaf recipe is available in multiple formats, spreadsheet or pdf, and multiple leavening options – meaning you can use commercial yeast or a natural starter. Folks rave about our bread. Home-baked bread is a time commitment, about 6-7 hours per batch. A batch depends on your equipment, generally, bakers will choose to make 3-4 loaves. Experienced dough-handling skills are not required; we support your journey every step of the way. These loaves are a terrific way to nourish our community.

Our Grab ‘N Go Energy Cookies!

Find bread a little intimidating. Need something that takes less time, something you can mix in one bowl with a wooden spoon?! Our Grab ‘N Go Energy Cookies are a perfect match. Made with six nutritious whole-grain flours, you can mix up a batch of 32 cookies in just a few minutes and complete the whole project in just a few hours of baking.